Pay-TV operator Foxtel wants the right to compete for broadcast rights to prestige overseas sporting events such as Wimbledon, the US Open and The Masters golf tournament.
All three major events are on a legislated anti-siphoning list that limits first rights to free-to-air broadcasters.
Foxtel, in a submission to a Senate inquiry, argues flagged government changes to media ownership laws are "piecemeal" and has called for a number of overseas sporting events to be removed from the anti-siphoning list.
It agrees with repealing the so-called reach rule, which prohibits a company from controlling commercial TV licences that reach more than 75 per cent of the population, and the two-out-of-three rule that prevents a proprietor from controlling more than two of three radio, TV and newspapers in an area.
But it says they should not be scrapped without changes to the "anti-competitive" anti-siphoning list.
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Foxtel accuses commercial free-to-air stations of abusing the system, alleging they sometimes buy events and don't broadcast them.
"The policy has hurt consumers, sporting bodies and participants in grass-roots sports," its corporate affairs group director Bruce Meagher said.
While acknowledging the policy needed to be finely balanced in the interest of all broadcasters, Foxtel suggests the list of events be shortened to those of national significance.
Events such as the AFL and NRL grand finals would remain.
The operator argues allowing subscription broadcasters to compete for rights could help grassroots communities through higher returns for sports.
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield doesn't think there is enough community or political support for a change.
